It should be one of the biggest draws of the season - a mouth-watering cup game at home to the Champions.

It should be one of the biggest draws of the season - a mouth-watering cup game at home to the Champions.

Yet, amazingly, large numbers of die-hards fan are publicly and passionately insisting they will not be going.

A hotly debated thread on the Fly Me To The Moon website, started by a trouble-causing "regular reader" asking the question, has provoked some soul-searching.

It should be the cardinal sin for "true fans", yet even those weaned on the Holgate are opting out. Why?

There is a lot of anger directed at the club right now, but as most Boro fans have season tickets they get little chance to register their protest.

The Wimbledon cup game and this one give them a chance to vote with their feet.

Secondly, it appears ticket pricing policy is a major factor.

People are angry at being asked to pay more than usual to watch a game that is live on television.

Red Book holders fork out in advance so don't notice the week by week price. Now they are being asked for between #22 and #32 for their own seats - more than for the Man Yoo league match - as it is a category A match.

That is a factor that doesn't normally affect them and one that has angered many who feel their loyalty has not been rewarded. Or has even been abused.

Family groups, in particular, have a difficult and expensive decision to make. Many will watch on the box - at home or in a pub -and spend the cash elsewhere.

And that could lead to serious security problems on the day.

Given that the away allocation has been cut, many will travel -from York and Woking and Whitby, as well as Wythensaw and Salford - hoping to scoop up tickets on the day.

There could now be plenty floating around - and all over the stadium rather than just in the easily stewarded (even if they do stand up) away end.